Baltimore Ravens sign Steve Smith to three-year deal

Steve Smith breaks free from Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara during a game with the Carolina Panthers last season.

Steve Smith breaks free from Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara during a game with the Carolina Panthers last season. (Bob Leverone / Associated Press)

Associated Press

Steve Smith, the longtime Carolina Panthers’ standout wide receiver didn't waste time finding a new home, signing a three-year contract with the Ravens about 24 hours after being released by Carolina.

The Ravens announced the signing of the 34-year-old Smith on Friday.

Smith was released by the Carolina Panthers after 13 seasons. He should provide a solid weapon for quarterback Joe Flacco.

“This has been an organization with a history of giving veteran players a chance and meshing them with younger players,” Smith said on a conference call Friday.

Smith arrived in Baltimore late Thursday night and negotiations and meetings continued into the early morning hours on Friday.

Smith said he had a contract offer from the San Diego Chargers and canceled a visit with the New England Patriots scheduled for Monday.

One of the reasons he chose Baltimore, he noted, is because it's about a one-hour flight from Charlotte, N.C., where his family will continue to live.

Smith ranks 19th in the NFL in career receptions. He caught 64 passes for 746 yards and four touchdowns in 2013.

The Ravens also got a four-year deal to keep linebacker Daryl Smith that solidifies the middle of Baltimore's defense. The sides reached agreement on Smith's 32nd birthday.

He started all 16 games for the Ravens in 2013 and led the team with 123 tackles. He also had a career-high 19 passes defensed, setting a Ravens record by a linebacker.

In other moves Friday:

—Chicago agreed to a one-year contract with two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman. Tillman, 33, is coming off a season limited to eight games because of a torn right triceps.

—The Indianapolis Colts agreed to terms with free-agent receiver Hakeem Nicks. The deal was thought to be for one year.

—Eight-year veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan found a new home in Miami after an injury-plagued 2013 with the St. Louis Rams. The also Dolphins added former Rams guard Shelley Smith with a $5.5 million, two-year contract.

—Detroit re-signed tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who will get a $16-million, four-year contract with half the money guaranteed. He has 284 receptions for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns in five NFL seasons with the Lions.

—Suspended former Seattle cornerback Brandon Browner said he has agreed to a contract with the New England Patriots. The team did not confirm the deal, but Browner's was reportedly worth $17 million over three years.

—The Tennessee Titans released Ryan Fitzpatrick. The 31-year-old quarterback has thrown for 16,790 yards, 106 touchdowns and 93 interceptions in 85 career games.

The Titans also agreed to a multiyear deal with linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who spent the last six years with the Denver Broncos. During the 2012 season, Woodyard was the only player in the NFL with at least 100 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions.

Tennessee also agreed to a multiyear deal with tackle Michael Oher, who spent his first five seasons with the Ravens.

—Minnesota re-signed receiver Jerome Simpson, who bounced back from an injury-plagued first season with the team in 2012 with a solid season. He caught 48 passes for a career-high 726 yards in 2013.

—Former Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain joined the Giants.

—Center Evan Dietrich-Smith agreed to a contract with Tampa Bay. He spent the past three seasons with the Packers.

—San Francisco signed cornerback Chris Cook to a one-year deal. He spent his four NFL seasons with Minnesota.

—Pittsburgh addressed depth issues along the defensive line, signing Cam Thomas to a two-year deal. The 27-year-old Thomas started a career-high 10 games for San Diego in 2013, finishing with 30 tackles and an interception.